The Union of Employees in the Gambling Industry in Montenegro welcomes the government’s intention to improve the legal framework for the sector but expresses serious concerns over proposed amendments that could severely impact the industry’s operations and threaten jobs.
Specifically, the union opposes a proposed amendment requiring gambling venues to be located at least 150 meters away from preschool institutions. While intended to protect young children, the union argues this change was made without considering the economic impact on the approximately 3,500 employees in the sector.
The union estimates that adopting this rule could lead to the closure of about 30% of jobs in the industry, as many businesses would be unable to comply due to the distribution of preschools in Montenegrin cities.
They criticize the amendment for lacking thorough economic and social analysis and call for its withdrawal. The union urges a genuine dialogue involving lawmakers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, industry operators, and worker representatives.
The union also highlights the broader economic impact, noting that many gambling operators are key landlords and suppliers in local communities, supporting numerous private businesses and families.
They warn that this measure threatens constitutionally guaranteed rights to work and social security and emphasize that employees are real people supporting families and contributing to the national budget.
If their concerns are ignored, the union plans to use all available democratic and institutional channels to protect workers’ rights, including appealing to the Human Rights Protector and organizing public protests.
They call on lawmakers, especially the amendment’s proponents and the responsible minister, to recognize the seriousness of the situation and include workers’ voices in the legislative process.
The union insists that passing laws without considering the consequences for workers is irresponsible governance, and they stress the need to protect both public interest and the dignity of gambling industry employees.
